US20120104788A1 - Tensioning Bow Member For A Flexible Cover System - Google Patents
Tensioning Bow Member For A Flexible Cover System Download PDFInfo
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- US20120104788A1 US20120104788A1 US13/343,305 US201213343305A US2012104788A1 US 20120104788 A1 US20120104788 A1 US 20120104788A1 US 201213343305 A US201213343305 A US 201213343305A US 2012104788 A1 US2012104788 A1 US 2012104788A1
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- hold
- bail
- bow member
- container
- bail member
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- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 3
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- XAGFODPZIPBFFR-UHFFFAOYSA-N aluminium Chemical compound [Al] XAGFODPZIPBFFR-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 229910052782 aluminium Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 230000000295 complement effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000010276 construction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000007423 decrease Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000002939 deleterious effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000006870 function Effects 0.000 description 1
- -1 gravel and the like Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000005484 gravity Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000009434 installation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000011368 organic material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000001151 other effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000001737 promoting effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000000452 restraining effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000035939 shock Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000003466 welding Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000004804 winding Methods 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60J—WINDOWS, WINDSCREENS, NON-FIXED ROOFS, DOORS, OR SIMILAR DEVICES FOR VEHICLES; REMOVABLE EXTERNAL PROTECTIVE COVERINGS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES
- B60J7/00—Non-fixed roofs; Roofs with movable panels, e.g. rotary sunroofs
- B60J7/08—Non-fixed roofs; Roofs with movable panels, e.g. rotary sunroofs of non-sliding type, i.e. movable or removable roofs or panels, e.g. let-down tops or roofs capable of being easily detached or of assuming a collapsed or inoperative position
- B60J7/085—Non-fixed roofs; Roofs with movable panels, e.g. rotary sunroofs of non-sliding type, i.e. movable or removable roofs or panels, e.g. let-down tops or roofs capable of being easily detached or of assuming a collapsed or inoperative position winding up, e.g. for utility vehicles
Definitions
- the present disclosure relates to flexible covers or tarping systems for open-topped containers and particularly concerns a mechanism for restraining the flexible cover or tarp against the container.
- dump trucks Many hauling vehicles, such as dump trucks, include open-topped containers used for hauling or storing various materials.
- the open-topped container is referred to as the “dump body” of the truck.
- the dump body is used to haul a variety of load material, such as gravel and the like, as well as organic materials, such as grain or produce.
- the dump truck tilts the dump body to evacuate the load material from the dump body.
- a cover is particularly valuable for covering the dump body of a dump truck when dump truck is in transit.
- Rigid covers are well known that may be hinged from one end of the container body and pivoted from an open to a closed position. While rigid covers may be acceptable for stationary containers, the same is usually not true for containers associated with land-traversing vehicles. Accordingly, rigid covers have given way to flexible cover systems.
- Flexible cover systems utilize a flexible tarpaulin that can be drawn from a stowed position at one end of the container, to a deployed position covering the open top of the container.
- the flexible tarpaulin is preferable for dump trucks, because it can be easily stowed when the cover is not needed, such as during times when the dump body is being loaded and emptied.
- flexible cover systems are generally easier to deploy than rigid covers.
- FIG. 1 An example of one form of the Easy Cover® Tarping System is shown in FIG. 1 .
- the system includes a U-shaped bail member 22 that is connected at a pivot mount 25 to the base of the container body 13 on the vehicle 10 .
- a horizontal bar 27 of the bail member 22 is attached to the tarp 16 .
- the system also includes a U-shaped tensioning bow member 30 that is connected at a pivot mount 32 to the bail member 22 .
- the tarp 16 is positioned between a horizontal bar 34 of the tensioning bow member 30 and the container body 13 .
- the tarp 16 can be preferably stowed by winding onto a tarp roller assembly 19 at the forward end of the vehicle, which causes the tarp to slide under the horizontal bar 34 of the tensioning bow member 30 as the bail member 22 pivots toward the front of the container body 13 .
- the system includes a variety of configurations that permit manual or powered deployment of the tarp over the open top of the container.
- the pivot mount 25 includes a torsion spring pack that is biased to rotate the bail member 22 in a clockwise direction, as shown in FIG. 1 , to pull the tarp 16 over the top of the container 13 .
- the tarp roller assembly 19 is biased to resist this rotation of the bail member 22 .
- a manual crank rotates the tarp roller assembly 19 to allow the tarp 16 to unfurl under the torsion force of the spring pack.
- a motor controls the rotation of the tarp roller assembly. The manual crank or motor are rotated in the opposite direction to pull the bail member 22 toward the front of the container body 13 and to thereby stow the tarp 16 .
- tarpaulin 16 is affected in a number of ways by the airflow associated with the traveling vehicle. This problem becomes especially acute at high speeds.
- the front end of the vehicle creates turbulent airflow that travels along the length of the container body 13 .
- the turbulence which can be manifested by air vortices along the top of the container body 13 , has a tendency to lift the flexible cover 16 away from the top of the body.
- a web of cords is deployed over the tarp 16 along the length of the container body 13 .
- the ends of the cords can be attached to mounts affixed to the side of the body 13 .
- other cover systems rely on a complicated array of mechanical, electrical, and/or hydraulic structures to apply a constant tension along the length of the tarp 16 . In most cases, however, these cover systems do not adequately restrain the bail/bow members 22 , 30 or the tarp 16 .
- a cover extension/retraction system for covering an open top of an open-topped container with a flexible cover, the flexible cover having one end connected to one end of the container, and the cover sized to substantially cover the open top when an opposite end of the cover is moved to an extended position at the opposite end of the container.
- Te cover system comprises a bail member having a first end pivotally connected to the container and an opposite second end connected to the opposite end of the flexible cover in which the bail member is configured for pivoting from a stowed position to a deployed position in which the flexible cover is in the extended position.
- the system further comprises a hold-down bow member including one end pivotally connected to the bail member and an opposite end configured for bearing against the flexible cover between the ends of the cover.
- a torque element is connected between the bow member and the one end of the bail member.
- the torque element is configured to generate a torque for pivoting the bail member away from the bow member.
- FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a hauling vehicle utilizing a flexible cover system.
- FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a hold-down portion of a cover or tarp extension/retraction system for use with the hauling vehicle of FIG. 1 , according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.
- FIGS. 3 a - c are views of the cover extension/retraction system shown in FIG. 2 , depicted in various stages of operation.
- FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of the bail member and hold down bow member of the system shown in FIGS. 2-3 .
- FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the bail member and hold down bow member shown in FIG. 4 .
- FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a cover or tarp extension/retraction system according to a further embodiment disclosed herein.
- FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a cover or tarp extension/retraction system according to a further embodiment disclosed herein.
- FIG. 8 is an exploded view of a cover or tarp extension/retraction system according to another embodiment.
- FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a cover or tarp extension/retraction system according to yet another embodiment.
- FIG. 10 is an exploded view of the system shown in FIG. 9 .
- FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the cover extension/retraction system shown in FIGS. 2-3 mounted on a modified flexible cover system.
- a cover system shown as a cover or tarp extension/retraction system 100 for an open-topped container 120 , includes a bail member, shown as a U-shaped hold-down bow member 102 , and another U-shaped tensioning bail member 104 .
- the bail member 104 includes two legs 105 and a horizontal bar 106 . End portions of the legs 105 are connected to a pivot mount 133 at the bottom of the container 120 by a pair of torque elements 134 (only one of which is illustrated in FIG. 2 ).
- the hold-down bow member 102 includes a pair of legs 103 and a horizontal bar 112 . End portion of the legs 103 is connected to the legs 105 of the bail member 104 by another pair of torque elements 108 (only one of which is illustrated in the figures). Both the bow member 102 and the bail member 104 may be formed from aluminum or another suitable lightweight and rigid material.
- a rear portion of a flexible cover shown as a tarp 124 , is connected to the horizontal bar 106 of the bail member 104 .
- a front portion of the tarp 124 is connected to and unfurled from a roller assembly 113 positioned near a front side 116 of the container 120 .
- the horizontal bar 112 of the hold-down bow member 102 is separate from and positioned above the tarp 124 so that the mid-section 112 may bear down against the tarp in use.
- the torque elements 108 include a bracket member (referred to as a connecting bracket 132 ), a housing 109 , and a biasing spring.
- the connecting bracket 132 connects the torque element 108 to the leg 105 of the bail member 104 .
- the other torque element 108 is connected to the opposite leg of the bail member 104 by another connecting bracket (not shown).
- the housing 109 is connected to the leg 103 of the bail member 102 and is also pivotally connected to the connecting bracket 132 .
- the biasing spring is at least partially positioned within the housing 109 .
- the torque elements 108 are part of a hold-down assembly that is configured to bias the horizontal bar 112 of the tensioning bow member 102 against the tarp 124 and the side rails 128 of the container 120 (or a load carried by the container, if the load is positioned above the side rails 128 ) to restrain movement the tensioning bow member 102 . Accordingly, the horizontal bar 112 is positioned against the tarp 124 by a force greater than just the weight of the bail member 102 .
- the torque elements 108 exert a biasing force that is greater than the force exerted upon the tensioning bow member 102 by normal wind and/or gravity, among other effects.
- the torque elements 108 cause the tensioning bow member 102 to resist being pivoted toward a rear end of the container 120 .
- the extension/retraction system 100 having the torque elements 108 may be positioned in a deployed position and positioned in a retracted or stowed position without requiring user manipulation of the torque elements.
- FIGS. 3 a - 3 c The movement of the system 100 is depicted in FIGS. 3 a - 3 c .
- the cover 124 is initially stowed in the roller assembly 113 in a conventional manner.
- the two bow/bail members 102 , 104 are aligned next to each other with the horizontal bars 112 , 106 of each abutting the roller assembly.
- the legs 105 of the bail member 104 may include a bend 105 a (see FIG. 3 b ) to accommodate the length of the container bed, as is known in the art.
- the legs 103 of the bow member 102 include a complementary bend 103 a so the two arms can nest close together in the stowed position shown in FIG. 3 a .
- the tarp 124 is deployed or unfurled from the roller assembly 113 as the bail member 104 rotates about the pivot mount 133 which may be under the torsional force exerted by the torque elements 134 .
- the horizontal bar 112 of the hold-down bow member 102 remains generally adjacent the roller assembly as the bail member 104 pivots toward the rear end 121 of the container. The bow member 102 and bail member 104 thus maintain the tarp 124 in tension as it is being deployed.
- the torque elements 108 are arranged to exert a torsional force on the bow member 102 in the opposite direction to the torsional force generated by the bail member torque elements 134 .
- the torque elements 134 provide a torsional force to rotate the bail member 104 in the clockwise direction.
- the bow member 102 torque elements 109 apply a torsional force to rotate the bow member in the counter-clockwise direction. This counter-clockwise torsional force tends to push the horizontal bar 112 down against the tarp 124 is the tarp is extended.
- the hold-down bow member 102 and particularly the horizontal bar 112 , is pressed against the side rails 128 of the container to hold the tarp down even while the vehicle is traveling.
- the two torque elements 108 , 134 can have the same construction, as reflected in FIG. 5 .
- the torque element 134 includes a pair of housing 142 that are configured to house a spring pack 145 .
- a pair of bushings 146 are provided to support the spring pack 145 on an axle extending through the housing.
- the axle is a post 140 projecting from the pivot mount 133 that is fastened to the container 120 in a conventional manner.
- the axle is the post 152 that extends through the mounting bracket 132 , as described below.
- Both axles include a washer 154 and locking ring 155 to fix to the housings 142 .
- the post 152 is freely mounted within the bracket 132 .
- the post In order to restrain the post 152 from rotation (which is necessary to react the torque load of the spring pack 145 ) the post includes anchor pins 153 at opposite ends of the post. The pins are configured to be engaged within the star-shaped openings 132 a in the bracket 132 .
- Each post 140 , 152 includes a corresponding slot 140 a , 152 a to engage the central segments 145 a of the spring packs 145 to react the spring pack torque.
- the curved free ends 145 b of the spring packs engage reaction posts 143 within the housings 142 to apply torque to the housings.
- the housings of the torque element 134 are connected to the bail member 104 in a conventional manner so that torque generated by the spring pack 145 is transmitted to the bail member.
- the housings 142 of the torque element 108 are connected to the hold-down bow member 102 so that torque generated by the spring pack is transmitted to the bow member.
- the bracket 132 may be a U-shaped member configured to clamp around the bail member 104 , and may thus have an interior shape that corresponds to the outer shape of the bail member.
- the bracket may be attached to the bail member by welding, or by a separate fastener arrangement.
- the fastener arrangement may be configured to permit adjustment of the location of the bracket on the bail member—i.e., closer to or farther away from the pivot mount 133 .
- the position of the bracket 132 can thus be adjusted based on the length of the bow member 102 and the distance from the bracket to the roller assembly 113 when the extension/retraction system is rolled up, as shown in FIG. 3 a .
- the bow member 102 is sized to be connected to the bail member 104 between the pivot mount 133 and the mid-point of the length of the arms 105 of the bail member. This arrangement allows the bow and bail members to nest in the stowed position and allows the hold-down bow member to bear against the tarp as close to the front end (i.e., adjacent roller assembly 113 ) as possible.
- an additional hold down bow member 170 is mounted to the bail member 104 .
- the additional bow member 170 includes arms 172 connected by a torque element 175 and bracket 176 to the bail member 104 .
- the additional bow member includes a horizontal bar 173 that engages the tarp 124 at a location generally in the middle of the container 120 .
- the arms 172 are shorter than the arms of the primary bow member 102 so that as the bail member 104 rotates toward the rear of the container the horizontal bar 173 is pulled toward the middle of the container.
- an additional hold down bow member 180 may be mounted to the primary bow member 102 , as depicted in FIG. 7 .
- the additional bow member 180 includes arms 182 mounted to the primary bow member by way of a torque element 184 and bracket 186 .
- a horizontal bar 183 spans the width of the tarp 124 to hold the tarp down. Again, the length of the arms 182 is calibrated so that bar 183 is situated generally mid-length along the container.
- the spring packs incorporated into the torque elements 175 and 184 are configured so that the associated horizontal bars 173 , 183 bear down against the tarp when the bail member 104 is fully extended, as shown in FIGS. 6-7 .
- the torque element 175 is arranged to rotate the additional bow member 170 away from the bail member 104 .
- the torque element 184 is configured to rotate the additional bow member 180 away from the primary bow member 102 . In both cases, as the tarp is wound onto the roller assembly 113 , the tarp is wound up against the spring torque generated by the particular torque elements 175 , 184 .
- the bail member may be modified to eliminate the spring pack in the bail member.
- the modified bail member 104 ′ may include the same arm 105 , bracket 132 and torque element 108 for connection to the bow member, as well as the same pivot mount 133 and pivot post 140 .
- the bail member 104 ′ includes a collar mount 181 configured to connect to the bail arm 105 .
- a bushing 182 fits within the collar and receives the pivot post 140 .
- a washer 184 and locking ring 185 fix the collar mount to the pivot mount so that the bail member 104 ′ may pivot freely about the mount 133 .
- the bail member 104 ′ cannot apply any torque to extend the cover.
- the torque element 108 for the bow member generates the necessary torque to deploy the bail member as the tarp is released from the roller assembly. In this embodiment the bow member reacts the torque against the tarp as the tarp is unfurled.
- the bail member 210 and bow member 215 are pivotably mounted at a common mount 205 .
- the members 210 , 215 share a common torque element 134 , or more particularly a common spring pack 145 .
- the bail member 210 includes the torque element 134 including the housings 142 , bushings 145 and spring pack 145 , all as described above.
- the torque element for bail member 210 is mounted to a pivot that is part of the hold-down bow member 215 .
- the bow member 215 includes two bracket components 216 , 217 , each including a hub 220 that is configured for attachment to the bow arm 103 .
- One bracket component 216 includes a “star” shaped opening to receive the anti-rotation pin 153 that engages the slot of the pivot post, as described above.
- the pivot post 226 projects from the other bracket component 217 and includes the slot 226 a that engages the center portion 145 a of the spring pack 145 and is engaged by the pin 153 as just discussed.
- the pivot post 226 includes an inboard portion 227 that is supported by a bearing component 206 of the pivot mount 205 .
- the pivot post portion 227 is free to rotate within the pivot mount 205 .
- the bow member 215 will pivot relative to the mount 205 .
- the spring pack 145 will exert a torque that separates the bail member 210 from the bow member 215 . Since the axle about which the spring pack 145 is mounted is itself pivoting the spring pack may require a higher torque to fully extend the cover to the position shown in FIG. 3 c .
- the length of the bow arm 103 extends from the vehicle pivot mount location ( 134 in FIG. 3 a ) to the roller assembly 113 .
- the horizontal bar 112 of the bow member 102 will remain adjacent the roller assembly 113 when the horizontal bar ( 106 , see FIG. 3 c ) of the bow member 210 is adjacent the end 121 of the container 120 . In certain cases this embodiment may be better suited to containers in which the roller assembly 113 is not elevated from the body of the container, such as is shown in FIG. 1 .
- the cover extension/retraction system disclosed herein may be modified to accommodate a different flexible cover arrangement.
- the front edge 124 a of the tarp 124 ′ may be fixed at the front of the container, while the rear edge 124 b may be supported on a roller assembly 113 .
- the roller assembly 113 is part of or mounted on the horizontal bar 106 ′ of the bail member 104 ′.
- the bail member 104 , hold-down bow member 102 and horizontal bar 112 all function in the same manner as described above.
- the primary difference between the embodiment of FIG. 11 and that of FIG. 3 is that the tarp roller 113 moves with the bail member to unfurl or retract the tarp 124 ′.
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Abstract
Description
- This application is a continuation-in-part of co-pending application Ser. No. 13/099,870 entitled “Tensioning Bow Member Locking Device for a Flexible Cover System”, filed on May 3, 2011, which claims priority to provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/330,425, filed May 3, 2010, entitled “Tensioning Bow Member Locking Device For A Flexible Cover System,” the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
- The present disclosure relates to flexible covers or tarping systems for open-topped containers and particularly concerns a mechanism for restraining the flexible cover or tarp against the container.
- Many hauling vehicles, such as dump trucks, include open-topped containers used for hauling or storing various materials. In a typical dump truck application, the open-topped container is referred to as the “dump body” of the truck. The dump body is used to haul a variety of load material, such as gravel and the like, as well as organic materials, such as grain or produce. Upon reaching the dumping site, the dump truck tilts the dump body to evacuate the load material from the dump body.
- Depending upon the nature of the load material stored in the open-topped container, it is often desirable to provide a cover for the container. A cover is particularly valuable for covering the dump body of a dump truck when dump truck is in transit. Rigid covers are well known that may be hinged from one end of the container body and pivoted from an open to a closed position. While rigid covers may be acceptable for stationary containers, the same is usually not true for containers associated with land-traversing vehicles. Accordingly, rigid covers have given way to flexible cover systems.
- Flexible cover systems utilize a flexible tarpaulin that can be drawn from a stowed position at one end of the container, to a deployed position covering the open top of the container. The flexible tarpaulin is preferable for dump trucks, because it can be easily stowed when the cover is not needed, such as during times when the dump body is being loaded and emptied. In addition, flexible cover systems are generally easier to deploy than rigid covers.
- A variety of flexible cover systems have been developed that are geared toward particular hauling vehicle applications. One such tarping system is the Easy Cover® Tarping System manufactured and sold by Aero Industries, Inc. An example of one form of the Easy Cover® Tarping System is shown in
FIG. 1 . The system includes a U-shapedbail member 22 that is connected at apivot mount 25 to the base of thecontainer body 13 on thevehicle 10. Ahorizontal bar 27 of thebail member 22 is attached to thetarp 16. The system also includes a U-shapedtensioning bow member 30 that is connected at a pivot mount 32 to thebail member 22. Thetarp 16 is positioned between ahorizontal bar 34 of the tensioningbow member 30 and thecontainer body 13. Thetarp 16 can be preferably stowed by winding onto atarp roller assembly 19 at the forward end of the vehicle, which causes the tarp to slide under thehorizontal bar 34 of the tensioningbow member 30 as thebail member 22 pivots toward the front of thecontainer body 13. - The system includes a variety of configurations that permit manual or powered deployment of the tarp over the open top of the container. In one typical installation, the
pivot mount 25 includes a torsion spring pack that is biased to rotate thebail member 22 in a clockwise direction, as shown inFIG. 1 , to pull thetarp 16 over the top of thecontainer 13. Thetarp roller assembly 19 is biased to resist this rotation of thebail member 22. In some versions, a manual crank rotates thetarp roller assembly 19 to allow thetarp 16 to unfurl under the torsion force of the spring pack. In other versions, a motor controls the rotation of the tarp roller assembly. The manual crank or motor are rotated in the opposite direction to pull thebail member 22 toward the front of thecontainer body 13 and to thereby stow thetarp 16. - One problem that is faced with tarping systems of the type shown in
FIG. 1 is the effect of airflow or wind on the tarping system as the vehicle is traveling. In particular, thetarpaulin 16 is affected in a number of ways by the airflow associated with the traveling vehicle. This problem becomes especially acute at high speeds. In particular, the front end of the vehicle creates turbulent airflow that travels along the length of thecontainer body 13. The turbulence, which can be manifested by air vortices along the top of thecontainer body 13, has a tendency to lift theflexible cover 16 away from the top of the body. - Another problem facing the above-described tarping system is road vibration and shock, which can cause the
bail member 22 and the tensioningbow member 30 to bounce on thecontainer body 13 when thetarp 16 is deployed. This problem is especially noticeable for systems including the tensioningbow member 30, the position of which is maintained by only the weight of the tensioningbow member 30. - Movement of the
tarp 16, thebail member 22, and the tensioningbow member 30 due to wind and vibration may have a deleterious effect is on the flexible cover system. The constant flapping and bouncing can gradually wear the tarp and the cover system components, which decreases the longevity of the cover system. In addition, when thetarp 16 is dislodged from its deployed position, the contents of thecontainer body 13 are at risk of expulsion. - In order to address this problem, various systems have been devised to bias the tarp against the container body. In one common cover system, a web of cords is deployed over the
tarp 16 along the length of thecontainer body 13. The ends of the cords can be attached to mounts affixed to the side of thebody 13. Whereas other cover systems rely on a complicated array of mechanical, electrical, and/or hydraulic structures to apply a constant tension along the length of thetarp 16. In most cases, however, these cover systems do not adequately restrain the bail/bow members tarp 16. - The prior approaches to maintaining the tarp against the container body either require manual intervention or sophisticated powered components. Accordingly, there remains a need for a tarping system having a tensioning
bow member 30, which is less prone to the wind and vibrations associated with a moving container. - In one aspect, a cover extension/retraction system is provided for covering an open top of an open-topped container with a flexible cover, the flexible cover having one end connected to one end of the container, and the cover sized to substantially cover the open top when an opposite end of the cover is moved to an extended position at the opposite end of the container. Te cover system comprises a bail member having a first end pivotally connected to the container and an opposite second end connected to the opposite end of the flexible cover in which the bail member is configured for pivoting from a stowed position to a deployed position in which the flexible cover is in the extended position. The system further comprises a hold-down bow member including one end pivotally connected to the bail member and an opposite end configured for bearing against the flexible cover between the ends of the cover.
- In one feature, a torque element is connected between the bow member and the one end of the bail member. The torque element is configured to generate a torque for pivoting the bail member away from the bow member. Thus, when the bail member is in its deployed position to extend the cover, the bow member bears against the forward end of the cover to hold the cover down.
-
FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a hauling vehicle utilizing a flexible cover system. -
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a hold-down portion of a cover or tarp extension/retraction system for use with the hauling vehicle ofFIG. 1 , according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. -
FIGS. 3 a-c are views of the cover extension/retraction system shown inFIG. 2 , depicted in various stages of operation. -
FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of the bail member and hold down bow member of the system shown inFIGS. 2-3 . -
FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the bail member and hold down bow member shown inFIG. 4 . -
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a cover or tarp extension/retraction system according to a further embodiment disclosed herein. -
FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a cover or tarp extension/retraction system according to a further embodiment disclosed herein. -
FIG. 8 is an exploded view of a cover or tarp extension/retraction system according to another embodiment. -
FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a cover or tarp extension/retraction system according to yet another embodiment. -
FIG. 10 is an exploded view of the system shown inFIG. 9 . -
FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the cover extension/retraction system shown inFIGS. 2-3 mounted on a modified flexible cover system. - For the purpose of promoting an understanding of the principles of the disclosure, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It should nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the disclosure is thereby intended. The disclosure includes any alterations and further modifications in the illustrated devices and described methods and further applications of the principles of the disclosure that would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the disclosure relates. In the drawings, like reference numerals have been used throughout to designate like elements.
- As shown in
FIGS. 2-3 , in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure, a cover system, shown as a cover or tarp extension/retraction system 100 for an open-toppedcontainer 120, includes a bail member, shown as a U-shaped hold-down bow member 102, and another U-shapedtensioning bail member 104. Thebail member 104 includes twolegs 105 and ahorizontal bar 106. End portions of thelegs 105 are connected to apivot mount 133 at the bottom of thecontainer 120 by a pair of torque elements 134 (only one of which is illustrated inFIG. 2 ). - The hold-
down bow member 102 includes a pair oflegs 103 and ahorizontal bar 112. End portion of thelegs 103 is connected to thelegs 105 of thebail member 104 by another pair of torque elements 108 (only one of which is illustrated in the figures). Both thebow member 102 and thebail member 104 may be formed from aluminum or another suitable lightweight and rigid material. - A rear portion of a flexible cover, shown as a
tarp 124, is connected to thehorizontal bar 106 of thebail member 104. A front portion of thetarp 124 is connected to and unfurled from aroller assembly 113 positioned near afront side 116 of thecontainer 120. Thehorizontal bar 112 of the hold-down bow member 102 is separate from and positioned above thetarp 124 so that the mid-section 112 may bear down against the tarp in use. - The
torque elements 108 include a bracket member (referred to as a connecting bracket 132), ahousing 109, and a biasing spring. The connectingbracket 132 connects thetorque element 108 to theleg 105 of thebail member 104. Theother torque element 108 is connected to the opposite leg of thebail member 104 by another connecting bracket (not shown). Thehousing 109 is connected to theleg 103 of thebail member 102 and is also pivotally connected to the connectingbracket 132. The biasing spring is at least partially positioned within thehousing 109. - The
torque elements 108 are part of a hold-down assembly that is configured to bias thehorizontal bar 112 of thetensioning bow member 102 against thetarp 124 and the side rails 128 of the container 120 (or a load carried by the container, if the load is positioned above the side rails 128) to restrain movement thetensioning bow member 102. Accordingly, thehorizontal bar 112 is positioned against thetarp 124 by a force greater than just the weight of thebail member 102. Thetorque elements 108 exert a biasing force that is greater than the force exerted upon thetensioning bow member 102 by normal wind and/or gravity, among other effects. Thetorque elements 108 cause thetensioning bow member 102 to resist being pivoted toward a rear end of thecontainer 120. The extension/retraction system 100 having thetorque elements 108 may be positioned in a deployed position and positioned in a retracted or stowed position without requiring user manipulation of the torque elements. - The movement of the
system 100 is depicted inFIGS. 3 a-3 c. Thecover 124 is initially stowed in theroller assembly 113 in a conventional manner. The two bow/bail members horizontal bars legs 105 of thebail member 104 may include abend 105 a (seeFIG. 3 b) to accommodate the length of the container bed, as is known in the art. Thelegs 103 of thebow member 102 include acomplementary bend 103 a so the two arms can nest close together in the stowed position shown inFIG. 3 a. Thetarp 124 is deployed or unfurled from theroller assembly 113 as thebail member 104 rotates about thepivot mount 133 which may be under the torsional force exerted by thetorque elements 134. Thehorizontal bar 112 of the hold-down bow member 102 remains generally adjacent the roller assembly as thebail member 104 pivots toward therear end 121 of the container. Thebow member 102 andbail member 104 thus maintain thetarp 124 in tension as it is being deployed. - As the
bail member 104 approaches the rear of the container the sweep of thebail arms 105 pull thebow member 102 toward the rear as well. Thetorque elements 108 are arranged to exert a torsional force on thebow member 102 in the opposite direction to the torsional force generated by the bailmember torque elements 134. For instance, as shown inFIGS. 3 a-c, thetorque elements 134 provide a torsional force to rotate thebail member 104 in the clockwise direction. Thus, thebow member 102torque elements 109 apply a torsional force to rotate the bow member in the counter-clockwise direction. This counter-clockwise torsional force tends to push thehorizontal bar 112 down against thetarp 124 is the tarp is extended. In the fully deployed position ofFIG. 3 c, the hold-down bow member 102, and particularly thehorizontal bar 112, is pressed against the side rails 128 of the container to hold the tarp down even while the vehicle is traveling. - Details of the
torque elements FIGS. 4-5 . In one embodiment, the twotorque elements FIG. 5 . For instance, thetorque element 134 includes a pair ofhousing 142 that are configured to house aspring pack 145. A pair ofbushings 146 are provided to support thespring pack 145 on an axle extending through the housing. For theelement 134 the axle is apost 140 projecting from thepivot mount 133 that is fastened to thecontainer 120 in a conventional manner. For theelement 108, the axle is thepost 152 that extends through the mountingbracket 132, as described below. Both axles include awasher 154 and lockingring 155 to fix to thehousings 142. Unlike thepost 140 that is anchored to the container, thepost 152 is freely mounted within thebracket 132. In order to restrain thepost 152 from rotation (which is necessary to react the torque load of the spring pack 145) the post includes anchor pins 153 at opposite ends of the post. The pins are configured to be engaged within the star-shapedopenings 132 a in thebracket 132. Eachpost corresponding slot central segments 145 a of the spring packs 145 to react the spring pack torque. The curved free ends 145 b of the spring packs engagereaction posts 143 within thehousings 142 to apply torque to the housings. - The housings of the
torque element 134 are connected to thebail member 104 in a conventional manner so that torque generated by thespring pack 145 is transmitted to the bail member. Similarly, thehousings 142 of thetorque element 108 are connected to the hold-down bow member 102 so that torque generated by the spring pack is transmitted to the bow member. - The
bracket 132 may be a U-shaped member configured to clamp around thebail member 104, and may thus have an interior shape that corresponds to the outer shape of the bail member. The bracket may be attached to the bail member by welding, or by a separate fastener arrangement. The fastener arrangement may be configured to permit adjustment of the location of the bracket on the bail member—i.e., closer to or farther away from thepivot mount 133. The position of thebracket 132 can thus be adjusted based on the length of thebow member 102 and the distance from the bracket to theroller assembly 113 when the extension/retraction system is rolled up, as shown inFIG. 3 a. In one embodiment thebow member 102 is sized to be connected to thebail member 104 between thepivot mount 133 and the mid-point of the length of thearms 105 of the bail member. This arrangement allows the bow and bail members to nest in the stowed position and allows the hold-down bow member to bear against the tarp as close to the front end (i.e., adjacent roller assembly 113) as possible. - In the system shown in
FIGS. 2-5 a single hold downbow member 102 is provided. In alternative embodiments, an additional hold down bow member may be provided to provide two points at which the cover or tarp is held against the container rails. In one embodiment, shown inFIG. 6 , an additional hold downbow member 170 is mounted to thebail member 104. Theadditional bow member 170 includesarms 172 connected by atorque element 175 andbracket 176 to thebail member 104. The additional bow member includes ahorizontal bar 173 that engages thetarp 124 at a location generally in the middle of thecontainer 120. Thearms 172 are shorter than the arms of theprimary bow member 102 so that as thebail member 104 rotates toward the rear of the container thehorizontal bar 173 is pulled toward the middle of the container. - Alternatively, an additional hold down
bow member 180 may be mounted to theprimary bow member 102, as depicted inFIG. 7 . In this embodiment theadditional bow member 180 includesarms 182 mounted to the primary bow member by way of atorque element 184 andbracket 186. Ahorizontal bar 183 spans the width of thetarp 124 to hold the tarp down. Again, the length of thearms 182 is calibrated so thatbar 183 is situated generally mid-length along the container. - It can be appreciated that the spring packs incorporated into the
torque elements horizontal bars bail member 104 is fully extended, as shown inFIGS. 6-7 . Thus, thetorque element 175 is arranged to rotate theadditional bow member 170 away from thebail member 104. Similarly, thetorque element 184 is configured to rotate theadditional bow member 180 away from theprimary bow member 102. In both cases, as the tarp is wound onto theroller assembly 113, the tarp is wound up against the spring torque generated by theparticular torque elements - In a modification, the bail member may be modified to eliminate the spring pack in the bail member. Thus, as illustrated in
FIG. 8 , the modifiedbail member 104′ may include thesame arm 105,bracket 132 andtorque element 108 for connection to the bow member, as well as thesame pivot mount 133 and pivotpost 140. However, rather than include thetorque element 134, thebail member 104′ includes acollar mount 181 configured to connect to thebail arm 105. Abushing 182 fits within the collar and receives thepivot post 140. Awasher 184 and lockingring 185 fix the collar mount to the pivot mount so that thebail member 104′ may pivot freely about themount 133. In this embodiment thebail member 104′ cannot apply any torque to extend the cover. Instead, thetorque element 108 for the bow member generates the necessary torque to deploy the bail member as the tarp is released from the roller assembly. In this embodiment the bow member reacts the torque against the tarp as the tarp is unfurled. - In another embodiment, illustrated in
FIGS. 9-10 , thebail member 210 andbow member 215 are pivotably mounted at acommon mount 205. In this embodiment themembers common torque element 134, or more particularly acommon spring pack 145. Thebail member 210 includes thetorque element 134 including thehousings 142,bushings 145 andspring pack 145, all as described above. However, rather than being mounted directly to a pivot mount (such as pivot mount 133), the torque element forbail member 210 is mounted to a pivot that is part of the hold-down bow member 215. - The
bow member 215 includes twobracket components hub 220 that is configured for attachment to thebow arm 103. Onebracket component 216 includes a “star” shaped opening to receive theanti-rotation pin 153 that engages the slot of the pivot post, as described above. Thepivot post 226 projects from theother bracket component 217 and includes theslot 226 a that engages thecenter portion 145 a of thespring pack 145 and is engaged by thepin 153 as just discussed. Thepivot post 226 includes aninboard portion 227 that is supported by abearing component 206 of thepivot mount 205. Thepivot post portion 227 is free to rotate within thepivot mount 205. Thus, as the cover is extended and exerts pressure against the horizontal bar (112, seeFIG. 3 ) thebow member 215 will pivot relative to themount 205. At the same time, thespring pack 145 will exert a torque that separates thebail member 210 from thebow member 215. Since the axle about which thespring pack 145 is mounted is itself pivoting the spring pack may require a higher torque to fully extend the cover to the position shown inFIG. 3 c. It is understood that the length of thebow arm 103 extends from the vehicle pivot mount location (134 inFIG. 3 a) to theroller assembly 113. Thus, in the fully extended position, thehorizontal bar 112 of thebow member 102 will remain adjacent theroller assembly 113 when the horizontal bar (106, seeFIG. 3 c) of thebow member 210 is adjacent theend 121 of thecontainer 120. In certain cases this embodiment may be better suited to containers in which theroller assembly 113 is not elevated from the body of the container, such as is shown inFIG. 1 . - The cover extension/retraction system disclosed herein may be modified to accommodate a different flexible cover arrangement. For instance, as shown in
FIG. 11 , thefront edge 124 a of thetarp 124′ may be fixed at the front of the container, while therear edge 124 b may be supported on aroller assembly 113. In this embodiment, theroller assembly 113 is part of or mounted on thehorizontal bar 106′ of thebail member 104′. Thebail member 104, hold-down bow member 102 andhorizontal bar 112 all function in the same manner as described above. The primary difference between the embodiment ofFIG. 11 and that ofFIG. 3 is that thetarp roller 113 moves with the bail member to unfurl or retract thetarp 124′. - While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, the same should be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character. It is understood that only the preferred embodiments have been presented and that all changes, modifications and further applications that come within the spirit of the invention are desired to be protected.
Claims (14)
Priority Applications (1)
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US13/343,305 US8444206B2 (en) | 2010-05-03 | 2012-01-04 | Tensioning bow member for a flexible cover system |
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US33042510P | 2010-05-03 | 2010-05-03 | |
US13/099,870 US8267461B2 (en) | 2010-05-03 | 2011-05-03 | Tension bow locking device for a flexible cover system |
US13/343,305 US8444206B2 (en) | 2010-05-03 | 2012-01-04 | Tensioning bow member for a flexible cover system |
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US13/099,870 Continuation-In-Part US8267461B2 (en) | 2010-05-03 | 2011-05-03 | Tension bow locking device for a flexible cover system |
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US20120104788A1 true US20120104788A1 (en) | 2012-05-03 |
US8444206B2 US8444206B2 (en) | 2013-05-21 |
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US13/343,305 Active US8444206B2 (en) | 2010-05-03 | 2012-01-04 | Tensioning bow member for a flexible cover system |
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Cited By (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20130009421A1 (en) * | 2009-04-06 | 2013-01-10 | Aero Industries, Inc. | Hold-down Locking Mechanism for a Flexible Cover System |
GB2494005A (en) * | 2011-03-14 | 2013-02-27 | Roll Rite Llc | Sliding Pivot Assembly for Cover Systems |
US10434850B2 (en) * | 2018-01-18 | 2019-10-08 | Aero Industries, Inc. | Safety cable for a flexible cover system |
US11505046B2 (en) | 2020-01-17 | 2022-11-22 | 6866336 Canada Inc. | Rolling tarp enclosure |
Families Citing this family (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US8882172B2 (en) * | 2012-11-28 | 2014-11-11 | Aero Industries, Inc. | Tensioning bow assembly for a flexible cover system |
US10336168B2 (en) * | 2017-09-14 | 2019-07-02 | Ty-Crop Manufacturing Ltd. | Apparatus for covering a container load |
CA3057099A1 (en) | 2019-03-05 | 2020-09-05 | Jitze Floris | Trailer or container motorized cover powered by supercapacitor |
Citations (1)
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US1748031A (en) * | 1928-01-10 | 1930-02-18 | Julius N Wiener | Rumble-seat top |
Family Cites Families (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US5031955A (en) | 1990-03-16 | 1991-07-16 | Timothy K. Searfoss | Truck cover |
US6338521B1 (en) | 1999-06-11 | 2002-01-15 | Aero Industries, Inc. | Tarp cover hold down system |
-
2012
- 2012-01-04 US US13/343,305 patent/US8444206B2/en active Active
Patent Citations (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
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US1748031A (en) * | 1928-01-10 | 1930-02-18 | Julius N Wiener | Rumble-seat top |
Cited By (7)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20130009421A1 (en) * | 2009-04-06 | 2013-01-10 | Aero Industries, Inc. | Hold-down Locking Mechanism for a Flexible Cover System |
US8550532B2 (en) * | 2009-04-06 | 2013-10-08 | Aero Industries, Inc. | Hold-down locking mechanism for a flexible cover system |
GB2494005A (en) * | 2011-03-14 | 2013-02-27 | Roll Rite Llc | Sliding Pivot Assembly for Cover Systems |
US8465080B2 (en) | 2011-03-14 | 2013-06-18 | Roll-Rite, Llc | Sliding pivot assembly for cover systems |
GB2494005B (en) * | 2011-03-14 | 2014-06-11 | Roll Rite Llc | Sliding pivot assembly for cover systems |
US10434850B2 (en) * | 2018-01-18 | 2019-10-08 | Aero Industries, Inc. | Safety cable for a flexible cover system |
US11505046B2 (en) | 2020-01-17 | 2022-11-22 | 6866336 Canada Inc. | Rolling tarp enclosure |
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US8444206B2 (en) | 2013-05-21 |
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